It might be sitting on the coffee table. Perhaps you’ve cut out a photo or story and stuck it on the fridge or used a few pages to line the bottom of the bird cage.
A well-run, well-resourced local news outlet is often a taken-for-granted part of the fabric of community.
It’s only when it disappears that residents truly realise what they’ve lost.
Local public interest journalism across Australia – as in other parts of the world – continues to face immense challenges as they compete with ‘Big Tech’ for advertising revenue and the disruption of artificial intelligence in the digital world.
This has led to the rise of news deserts – that is areas that have limited or no access to credible news and information about their patch.
Our long-running research into local news sustainability shows that local news is vital to democracy, helps people feel socially connected and provides essential information to keep them safe during crises and disasters.
Local journalists also stand up and advocate for their communities, pushing for better services, helping those in need and elevating local voices in front of those with the resources to instigate change.
A well-run local paper holds significant influence in its own right.
It holds power to account, recognises locals for good deeds or outstanding achievements, and fosters strong civic conversations about issues that matter.
Good journalism takes time, effort, passion, skill and an understanding of the people, places and politics that matter to local audiences.
Our research at Deakin shows people want more local coverage, more in-depth reporting and more stories that help people connect with one another and engage in healthy debate.
In Australia, there is a strong volunteer culture of providing news, music and information through local newsletters, community radio and Facebook community pages.
That said, quality, reliable and relevant public interest journalism takes meaningful investment and skill.
This is especially important at a time when misinformation and disinformation are growing challenges, including the rise of so-called ‘pink slime’ publications that look and feel like local news but lack substance, filled with syndicated, irrelevant content.
The Federal Government’s News Media Assistance Program (News MAP) has recently provided $99.1 million in grants for the news sector including a Journalism Assistance Fund that helps cover a share of journalists’ wages.
Other levers like mandated government advertising spend, news collaboration across the media sector and targeted support from philanthropy all play an important role too.
Local outlets like the Pastoral Times matter.
Bringing home a suite of NSW Country Press Australia awards is testament to the team’s passion for its community.
It is exactly the type of news outlet we need to help thrive in rural and regional Australia.
• Dr Kristy Hess is Professor of Communication at Deakin University and Australia’s leading researcher on local news sustainability.
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